Acura Plans to Discontinue 2026 MDX Type S in U.S.

On September 17, Acura, a brand under Honda, announced plans to discontinue the 2026 MDX Type S in the U.S. market. An Acura spokesperson confirmed the discontinuation and stated that the company is awaiting further updates to U.S. emissions regulations, with no specific timeline available yet for potential resumption of production. This discontinuation is linked to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Tier 4 standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles. The Tier 4 standards were established in 2024 and will first apply to model year 2027 vehicles. These standards impose emissions certification requirements and onboard diagnostic software mandates specifically on low-volume models. The Acura MDX Type S is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft (480 N·m) of peak torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and SH-AWD all-wheel drive. It features adaptive air suspension, dampers, four-piston Brembo front brakes, 21-inch wheels, and a 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, with a combined fuel economy rating of 19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km). The Acura spokesperson added that the company may transfer certain Type S features and design elements to other models.